impact of defective variocam actuator 1999 / 996
11-28-2012, 04:11 PM
#1
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Location: Kitchener Ontario canada
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impact of defective variocam actuator 1999 / 996
Hello:
I am new to Rennlist and the 911, I recently bought a 1999 996 which has had the IMS, clutch with lightweight flywheel done guides on variocam etc. the seller who is a porsche mechanic told me when i bought the car that the variocam actuator will need to be replaced on the drivers side. He didnt realize this when he had the engine apart. In diagn
osing the problem he changed the computer and ruled that out. The car seems to run fine except a little rough idle sometimes, but then again this is my first 911 so i have nothing to compare to.
My question is will it hurt to run the car with the drivers side variocam actuator not functioning properly? The mechanic who sold me the car said no, when i called the local dealer they said it could cause the valves and pistons to hit in certain cases. any help would be appreciated.
thanks
Karim
I am new to Rennlist and the 911, I recently bought a 1999 996 which has had the IMS, clutch with lightweight flywheel done guides on variocam etc. the seller who is a porsche mechanic told me when i bought the car that the variocam actuator will need to be replaced on the drivers side. He didnt realize this when he had the engine apart. In diagn
osing the problem he changed the computer and ruled that out. The car seems to run fine except a little rough idle sometimes, but then again this is my first 911 so i have nothing to compare to. My question is will it hurt to run the car with the drivers side variocam actuator not functioning properly? The mechanic who sold me the car said no, when i called the local dealer they said it could cause the valves and pistons to hit in certain cases. any help would be appreciated.
thanks
Karim
11-28-2012, 04:28 PM
#2
Parts Specialist
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
we have seen a lot of sticking/stuck/inoperative actuators this year
most cars will run though poorly at times.
I have not seen any valve/piston contact
run diagnostics you will see a cam position error on the bank with the problem - parts are not cheap (~$1k / side) but a motor will cost a lot more and running it will only cause matters to get worse until they become much worse all of the sudden
fix it as soon as you know it is the problem (rule one to porsche ownership - fix every problem as soon as you find it)
most cars will run though poorly at times.
I have not seen any valve/piston contact
run diagnostics you will see a cam position error on the bank with the problem - parts are not cheap (~$1k / side) but a motor will cost a lot more and running it will only cause matters to get worse until they become much worse all of the sudden
fix it as soon as you know it is the problem (rule one to porsche ownership - fix every problem as soon as you find it)
11-28-2012, 07:17 PM
#5
Had both sides replaced on my 04 C4S just a few months ago. Car seemed to run fine but stumbled when it hit the vario cam range and felt as if power was coming on much higher in the rev range. After replacement she runs like a champ. Porsche dealer diagnostics did not reveal any codes in this case, was strictly seat of the pants (mine) and a dealer who believed me.
Also had them replaced on the C2 a couple of years ago, only sympton was the stumble and in this case a fault did show on the diagnostics for the passengers side bank, but had both replaced. Again, problem solved and she still runs like a power house.
Not cheap, but C4S was fully covered under extended warranty - C2 was out of my pocket but so well worth it.
As mentioned - best to fix anything as soon as it rears it's head. The C2 blower motor is starting to make noise when it first starts - then goes away - but I know the day will come when it doesn't go away - or the blower motor simply quits - it isn't go to fix itself - so reaching in my pocket will happen soon.
Also had them replaced on the C2 a couple of years ago, only sympton was the stumble and in this case a fault did show on the diagnostics for the passengers side bank, but had both replaced. Again, problem solved and she still runs like a power house.
Not cheap, but C4S was fully covered under extended warranty - C2 was out of my pocket but so well worth it.
As mentioned - best to fix anything as soon as it rears it's head. The C2 blower motor is starting to make noise when it first starts - then goes away - but I know the day will come when it doesn't go away - or the blower motor simply quits - it isn't go to fix itself - so reaching in my pocket will happen soon.
